EMERGENCY evacuations are taking place in Hawaii as fast-moving lava flows from the Kilauea volcano threaten to engulf entire neighborhoods.
Residents in the Leilani area are being ordered top leave their homes immediately.
Shelters have been set up at community centres and churches in the area.
A Civil Defence spokesman said: “Residents on Noni Farms Road and Hale Kamahina road need to evacuate immediately due to a fast moving lava flow.
“Shelters are open at the Pahoa Community Center, Kea’au Community Center and the Sure Foundation Church.
The evacuations orders came as Kilauea entered its fourth week simultaneous eruption at its summit crater and along a six-mile string of fissures 25 miles down its easterm side.
Lava flows from multiple fissures have blocked roads and damaged dozens of buildings on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The Lava has also destroyed more than 400 electric poles and other equipment, causing power outages, the utility Hawaii Electric Light reported.
Contingency plans have been made for a possible helicopter evacuation of up to 1,000 residents in a coastal area south of the fissures should their last exit route, State Highway 130, become blocked by lava or become unsafe due to gaping cracks.
At least 82 homes have been destroyed in the southeastern corner of Big Island and about 2,000 people have been ordered evacuated since Kilauea began erupting on May 3.
